Darwin Manuscripts Project Will Transcribe Botanical Manuscripts

After Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, he spent much of the next two decades conducting research into plant-breeding and other botanical topics, eventually publishing six books on topics ranging from orchids to insect-eating species to the habits of climbing plants.

Charles Darwin's botanical manuscripts include sketches like this one of a dissection of a Strelitzia flower. The sketch was made by George Darwin, a son of Charles, in 1867. To learn more about the image, click here.

Darwin Manuscripts Project

Housed at the Museum, the Darwin Manuscripts Project (DMP) recently received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation through its Science, Technology, and Society Division to transcribe Darwin's botanical manuscripts—which include notes, rough drafts of books, letters, sketches, and more.

Never before published, these transcriptions will eventually be displayed online side-by-side with the corresponding high-resolution and full-color images currently being digitized from the originals at Cambridge University Library.